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Paris-Roubaix: The Course and the Riders

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The famous Arenberg Trench - Renovated and rendered easier to pass. Will it still be able to split the field? Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com to find out! Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Tom Boonen (Quick Step). Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Paris-Roubaix: The Course and the Riders

The first 100 km of Paris-Roubaix are like the first 200 pages of a Dostoyevsky novel.

strong enough to help the German out of tough spots.

Another German and a former T-Mobile rider will be at the helm of Milram. In 2000, Erik Zabel finished third at the Hell of the North, but advancing years and a weak team will probably keep the German from repeating the feat. Still, a seven-time Tour de France green jersey winner and a World Cup champion can never be ruled out.

CSC has Fabian Cancellara, who finished fourth in 2004 and eighth last year. He has a good team behind him. If the chips fall his way, the Swiss could win. Look for experienced Dane Lars Michaelsen as well.

Credit Agricole has Thor Hushovd, who won Gent-Wevelgem. If he has recovered from his effort in that race, he could win Paris-Roubaix. Clearly, he has the form. He might not, however, have the team.

The same holds true for Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank). Flecha is a good one-day man, but Rabobank is not as strong as other teams that want to put a man on the podium.

The weather forecast is for morning showers and 12 degrees Celsius at the start in Paris tomorrow--and mainly sunny and 15 degrees in Roubaix. As I write these words, rain is pouring in Roubaix. Will the roads and trenches stay wet and make the race even harder for the riders--but more exciting for the viewers?